History of online betting in France
Online betting in France has significantly changed from its early days to the digital era. The foundation of betting in France can be traced back centuries, long before the emergence of the internet. During this period, betting activities were predominantly offline and subject to limited regulation.
At the turn of the millennium, the rise of the internet brought about online betting platforms, transforming the betting scene. This shift made betting more straightforward and accessible, with these early platforms operating in a largely unregulated digital environment.
The regulatory landscape began to change significantly in the 2000s. Under pressure from the European Union, the French government passed rules specifically aimed at internet gambling. It is interesting to note that they approved the French Gambling Act in 2010. This is tightly regulated and authorized online gaming. This action led to establishing the Autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL), whose duty is to oversee the online betting sector.
The French internet betting sector expanded significantly after the French Gambling Act was passed. There have been new legal sites that offer poker, horse racing wagers, and sports betting. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which took the place of ARJEL in 2019 as a result of this industry's evolution, represents a more extensive change in gambling regulation.
Strict restrictions that strike a balance between a growing market, consumer protection, sports integrity, and the avoidance of gambling addiction characterize the current online betting scene in France. This industry's future is expected to be shaped by continuing technical developments and changing regulatory environments.